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Appeared on: Monday, November 08, 2004
Atari Ships "Godzilla: Save the Earth'' for PlayStation 2; For Xbox Later This Month

Movie Monster Legend Returns To Consoles With Online Fighting, Improved Technology; Game Celebrates 50th Anniversary of The First Godzilla(R) Film

Atari will ship "Godzilla(R): Save the Earth," an epic monster-on-monster online fighting game, for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, this month. Based on the classic character movie license from Toho Co., Ltd., "Godzilla(R): Save the Earth" faithfully recreates the look and feel of the gargantuan film legend and takes the fighting element of "Godzilla(R): Destroy All Monsters Melee" -- Atari's chart-topping fighting game which originally shipped in 2002 -- to the next level with online multiplayer fighting, new technology and gameplay improvements in all major areas. The PlayStation(R)2 version is currently available, the Xbox version will be available November 22.

"`Godzilla(R): Save the Earth' takes the Godzilla(R) interactive experience to the next level, with the addition of online play, a deeper fighting engine, sharper and more detailed graphics, and fan-favorite monsters," said Wim Stocks, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Atari. "No other fighting game can come close to matching the amazing fun of four-player online brawls between titanic creatures. Godzilla(R) fans will love the authenticity of recreating their favorite film battles with more monsters than ever while fighting game fans will find a refreshing and completely fun change of pace from traditional console brawlers."

Both the PlayStation(R)2 and Xbox versions feature a robust online multiplayer component. Up to four players can smash, bash and trash opposing monsters and cities in gargantuan online melees. Players can fight head-to-head in the classic Versus mode; with three or four other players in free-for-all, team, or 1-on-3 Melee mode; or compete to destroy the city in the game's Destruction mode.

In offline play, gamers have several modes from which to choose, including Action, the single-player campaign battling Earth's foes; Challenges, a series of single-player mini-games to complete; Versus, the classic one-on-one showdown; Melee, the two-to-four player battle-fest; and more.

Responding to requests from the worldwide Godzilla(R) fanbase, Atari made certain that "Godzilla(R): Save the Earth" would feature more than 18 classic Toho movie monsters, each carefully designed to recreate the authentic look and feel of the mega-popular film stars. Monsters returning from "Godzilla(R): Destroy All Monsters Melee" include Godzilla(R) 2000 and Godzilla(R) 90s, King Ghidorah(TM), Gigan(TM) and more, while fan-favorite monsters joining the lineup include Mothra(TM) (both larval and adult form), Jet Jaguar(TM), Baragon(TM), SpaceGodzilla(TM), Moguera(TM) and more.

In the single-player game, Vorticia, the leader of the Vortaak, sends mind-controlled monsters to Earth to collect Godzilla(R) DNA -- "G-Cells" -- in order to create her own Super Monster with which to conquer the planet. As Godzilla(R), the player awakens and must stop the brainwashed monsters from stealing G-Cells(TM) while at the same time freeing his fellow monsters from captivity. Throughout the game's missions, Vorticia sends waves of monsters, UFOs and other earth-threatening devices at Godzilla(R).

The epic battle for earth rages across the globe in more than a dozen massive, destructible city environments based on real world locations, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Osaka and New York. Fantasy locations featured in the game include the infamous Monster Island from the Godzilla(R) films as well as the Vortaak Alien Mothership. Environments have been enhanced and enlarged, and now feature hills, oceans, harbors and mountains. All structures in the game feature advanced destruction mechanics, enabling them to be partially damaged or completely destroyed through multiple impacts. Striking larger buildings dynamically generates gouges before the buildings eventually crumble to the ground.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Godzilla(R) film and in celebration, Atari has launched WWW.GODZILLA.COM, under the license from Toho Co., Ltd., to serve as a central hub of information for everything Godzilla(R)-related, creating a massive one-stop-shop for Kaiju fans to find more information about Godzilla(R) and Godzilla(R) products. The site features "Godzilla(R): Save the Earth," the upcoming Godzilla(R) film, "Godzilla(R) Final Wars" from Toho Co., Ltd., as well as new Godzilla(R) toys, DVDs and figures.

Developed by Eugene, Oregon-based Pipeworks (www.pipeworks.com), the masterminds behind "Godzilla(R): Destroy All Monsters Melee," "Godzilla(R): Save the Earth" is now available for an estimated retail price of $39.95 on PlayStation(R)2 and will be available November 22 on Xbox for the same price.